If you can sell your time, health, or lifespan, how much do you think your life's worth?

Kusunoki always live in debt. Eventhough he's considered as thIf you can sell your time, health, or lifespan, how much do you think your life's worth?

Kusunoki always live in debt. Eventhough he's considered as the smartest kid in class, his adult life turned out not as bright as everyone might think judging by his academic scores. He could only work part-time and could only living by the water. Once, when he brought his book and CD collection to secondhand stores, both tenant suggest that he went to place where one could sell their lifespan. Because he was broke, he decided to go there to sell his lifespan. First thought it was a scam, he decided to sell his lifespan, wanting to know how much his life worth. He thought it at least would be 3 billion yen, but turns out it's only 10,000 yen/year, so the shopkeeper offers a maximum of 300,000 yen for the rest of his 30 years lifespan.

Since Kusunoki thought his life would be nowhere, he sold all of his 30 years away and left with only three months to life. The shopkeeper, a girl named Miyagi came the next day to observe how he would spend the remaining three months of his life, saying she would only left him alone for the last three days before his death. So how would Kusunoki live the last three months he had in this earth?

This story is automatically on my favorite list for this year. It tackles many life adulting issues and what it means to be happy and successful. Recognizing that he won't live for long, Kusunoki started to try to reconnect with old friends, only to realized that he was alone because of his own doing--his current condition was his own doing. But Miyagi believed that what's best for him was to not too attached to past relationships and moving forward, living a life to the fullest. And once people started doing it, there might be something good happened, along the way....more

This rating and review is for the on-going series (currently on chapter 120) and not for this volume only.

Actually I never interested in this manga beThis rating and review is for the on-going series (currently on chapter 120) and not for this volume only.

Actually I never interested in this manga before, because after Sakura Kinoshita's Tactics, which I love tremendously, everything with a-boy-who-signs-contract-with-the-devil trope lost its glimmer for me. And alas, Black Butler's early volumes (I read until the fifth volume the last time) didn't interest me at all. I thought that I will shelves this manga to my DNF shelf for eternity, until two days ago someone in my timeline shared a blog post about (view spoiler)[The Double Ciel or The Two Ciel (hide spoiler)] theory which somehow motivated me to pick up this manga again to look for hints on that theory.

Plot wise, this story still held the same amount of lightness of typical shojo-fantasy (or was it shonen?) manga, just like the way of Sakura Kinoshita's manga, with comedic filler and a bit of slice of life, before the dark-and-dramatic chapters were played. But unlike the other story where the dark chapters was even out with light, filler chapter, this didn't happen in Black Butler. Instead, this story was so light and carefree, all fluffy and marshmallow with a tint of bitterness, until around the fifth volume before it paced up and the plot thickened. It was kind of a struggle to read through early 20-25 chapters because of that light chapters almost bored the hell outta me.

But after Circus Arc things getting more interesting and the series keep hinting at various historical/cultural/literary tales, although that Weston arc is so parody of Harry Potter I cringe so hard the entire arc. After Circus Arc there's also significant change in the art style, with the art getting darker, which probably signifies the change of pace and plot. Hints were spread, and there's the recurring mention about (view spoiler)[Ciel's special lineage in Shinigami's eyes, which probably had something with Undertaker's mysterious behavior (hide spoiler)].

And about that theory? The latest arc saw interesting progress for that theory. (view spoiler)[Lizzy's highlight in this arc kind of signifies that this arc probably have something to do with the twin a.k.a the real Ciel. (hide spoiler)] I'm kinda excited now to see where this story will be progressing....more

Listening to the Drama CD. Kinda feel bad because I can't read/see the visual, but the voice actors are great in invoking emotions and several times IListening to the Drama CD. Kinda feel bad because I can't read/see the visual, but the voice actors are great in invoking emotions and several times I nearly cry.

Three years ago, Kazuaki Yomura was a top employee in a big software company with a beau as a girlfriend. In short, his life was perfect. But suddenly, after proposing to his girlfriend and spent the night at the hotel, he woke up hearing his now-fiancee talking about how she actually didn't want to get marry and be a housewife but saw it as better option to marry a top salaryman than work herself. She planned to marry Yomura while looking for someone with better status, and then divorced him. Turned out, what Yomura heard was his girlfriend's thought. Yomura broke off his engagement and thus, his life as a mind reader begun.

Now, after resigning from his old workplace because he couldn't bear listening to his co-workers' envy and hatred towards him, he worked as a computer salesperson in a shopping complex. He used his ability for mind reading to predict how to deal with costumers and being a top salesman there. But now he's being pessimistic and cold towards others, until one day he met Shuichi Hasabe, another salesperson in different department, whose first thought Yomura's caught from him was his panicked rant of "I hold hand with the man I love."

Hasabe was someone who appeared as the quiet and serious in his co-workers' eyes, but he's actually quite vocal in his head, moreover if it's about his love for Yomura. At first tried to avoid the 'gay' co-worker, Yomura couldn't help but getting more and more curious about the serious man., who also turned out to be a honest-to-boot man, unlike other people he met. Drawing near to his honesty, Yomura couldn't help but fall in love. But can he talk about his ability to Hasebe?

I really love the premise, and also how the mangaka explore the conflict in both Yomura and Hasebe's part. Nothing over-cliche. Hasebe is not all that accepting and Yomura is rather annoying, but their characters and their relationship's development interest me. This is a one-shot manga, but sure as well not a shitty-development-insta-love manga. Although, it would be nice if Yomura's reason for suddenly acquiring his ability was explained more, but I don't mind it that much.

(view spoiler)[ I particularly love the conflict after Yomura lost his ability and how he adapt to the world again. The talk about trust is superb and perfectly carried, and though at that second-half of the story Yomura is a bit annoying, it was realistic in my opinion. (hide spoiler)] What I found rather 'meh', though, was that later on Yomura and Hasebe felt more like the carbon copy of Nowaki and Hiroki from Junjou Romantica--even their physiques are quite similar. But still, a great manga and drama CD. I love it....more

Since my friends in MMRI group recently being so hot on this story, and the time is just so right when I want to read porn, I decide to take a chanceSince my friends in MMRI group recently being so hot on this story, and the time is just so right when I want to read porn, I decide to take a chance with this, eventhough the 'rape' label slightly put me off, afraid that this will be the rape-to-love/dub-con kind of story (which I despised so much). But no, there's not the condition with this story. Yes, there are several rape scenes, but not with the main love interest, Demitrios.

I really enjoy the writing, though the plot flow is predictable here and there. Still, it gripped me right away and didn't let me go though I'm not as interested as my friends in Lunacy chapter?. The relationship development is good, and Cordelia played with Aedan's view so nice while it's not the best--I've read the more heartbreaking counterpart of Aedan in . And I love Demitrios and his stucked-up, well-raised kid's view. Aedan and Demitrios dynamic reminded me of my own m/m character. hehe. stop it, yuu, your bias is so strong to the point of relating all of your own charas to any m/m chara.

Why the name Aeden reminded me of the same name from another book of the same genre? Huh, but I forget where......more

DNF at 52%. Might continue it sometime later but for now the Twilight-cringe-induced reference is too strong for my liking. The writing is okay, but pDNF at 52%. Might continue it sometime later but for now the Twilight-cringe-induced reference is too strong for my liking. The writing is okay, but plot, characters and relationship development is a meh. This book made me introspecting my own MM story. God....more

Finished Review: I have some rules considering writing manga reviews. In manga series, usuThis rating and review are for all of the completed volumes.

Finished Review: I have some rules considering writing manga reviews. In manga series, usually I'll only review once per title, usually at the volume 1. But I'll write reviews in every volumes if it's an intercorrelated anthology in the same title (like, Salad Days, for example). This story, I thought at first was in the latter category, but now when I'm done reading it, I realized that one review is actually adequate. So I'll edit it.

Yesterday, someone in a fanfiction's author group recommended me this manga. At first I thought it was from my favorite mangaka, the creator of Dear Green: Hitomi no Ounowa, but when I get down to it, it's actually from Yuki Shimizu-sensei, the one who draw Love Mode. Wow her artwork is developing so... far...

That being said, this story is a multipairing stories revolving around a kotodamashi family (some kind of shaman who could use words to hurt people). In the beginning, there is Raizou, a "stray" boy who got taken into Mitou household as a cook. The house occupants consisted of Mitou Ouka and her human-doll Benio; Mitou Kotoha and Konoe; and also Waki and Kon. At first, Raizou thought they were just a normal family, but in fact, they are pairs of kotodamashi (the shaman) and kami-sama (the human-paper for kotodamashi's barrier). Waki is the puppeter (the one who made kami-sama) Benio is Ouka's kami-sama, Konoe is Kotoha's, and Kon haven't got his kotodamashi yet. There's also a man wearing a fox-mask, who happens to be Asari, kami-sama of Mitou Shoui, the head of Mitou family. Later volumes would also showed us the story of Mitou outer branch family. There are Genma who got quite a tragic story with his late father's kami-sama, Himi. And also Ryusei, a kotodamashi who refused to use his power, with his suddenly appeared kami-sama, Moriya.

From the pair list, I love Asari and Shoui's story the most. He and Shoui just so ugh~ I cried when I read their story in later volume. Second favorite is Moriya and Ryusei, because their total-straight-guys attitude is amusing to read, though the romantic and dramatic feeling from this pairing is quite lacked--since Ryusei is well... a slut. (lol)

But this story will be hard to follow for those who doesn't familiar with Japanese folklore. Not many description made to explain the world of kotodamashi and kami-sama. And it's true that Yuki Shimizu seems like cannot hold a world-building very well. The first few volume was full of confussion, and the essential explanation of kotodamashi and kami-sama world comes much later. So let me explain some thing about the universe for you who might not understand.

Kami-sama is basically a paper, literary a paper, whose resurrected with some ritual from the puppeter. They are tasked to protect their assigned kotodamashi, to heal their wounds and to act as a barrier for when the kotodamashi got a rebound from the curses they made. While kotodamashi could curse other people, or even a country, it's not without a price. Usually they would get wounds, depends on the scale of destruction they made. Kami-sama need to heal those wounds by exchanging bodily fluid with their kotodamashi. Sometimes, the person got cursed by kotodamashi would strike back with any kind of expellment, and when those times come, kami-sama was there to be their kotodamashi's barrier.

Well, I really love japanese folklore, so this story interests me. Also, this story put me into tears several times. But there are still rape/forced-sex angst in most pairings, which I cannot tolerate, whatever the reason. If you love someone, talk with your mouths, gentlemen, not with your dicks. Thankfully, Yuki Shimizu's artwork in this one is so pretty....more

This book is about a boy who came to the library to return his borrowed books. He was about to borrow another bookI put it to 'children' shelf. heheh.

This book is about a boy who came to the library to return his borrowed books. He was about to borrow another book(s) on Ottoman Empire tax collecting system, out of curiousity, when the receptionist girl sent him to a librarian in the basement. The librarian gave him three thick books on the subject on the condition that they were only for internal reading and cannot be borrowed. The boy, pressured to read those books in the library, following the librarian through a maze corridor and into a cell--where he's being kept as a prisoner there.

I listen the audiobook of it so I don't have the previlege to look at the illustrations--I will someday. I love the narrator, he got the creepiness of the evil librarian and in the few last chapters his voice really creep me out I want to skip the minutes but can't. This book is categorized as absurd-Murakami, with The Wind-up Bird Chronicle level of absurdness. I love the boy, though. This time Murakami doesn't play with void character, but use an obliging, sensitive child instead. The boy never could say a straight no and always talked into doing things he didn't want--like reading in the library basement. He's not a rebellious child by nature, so escaping from the cell or not is gonna be his hardest decision.

Short and magical and creepy. Just like what I like from Murakami....more

I remember when the first chapter of Rei came out, me and most of my CLAMP-fans acquintages would scream, "What's the meaning of this? CLAMP3,5 stars.

I remember when the first chapter of Rei came out, me and most of my CLAMP-fans acquintages would scream, "What's the meaning of this? CLAMP, don't tell me you finally made this sequel because of Holic's popularity--and because many of the fans moan about the ending!" I remember when people speculated that Rei was just as the same as Rei anime--a filler to fill out popularity. Some of my friends said, "I don't know what CLAMP's thinking." And so do I.

But now when the first volume was completed, and into volume two, readers are slowly getting the messages that this story is a serious bussiness, not just a filler to fed the popularity, but to actually begin a brand new story. The hints were everywhere, from the characters' dialogue until the way CLAMP made the panel for this story--yes, you'd notice something if you try to see the paneling. More speculations arose, and it's starting to gain momentum. So for you who dissatisfied with Holic's ending, try to read this. If you're satisfied enough with Holic's ending, this story may peak some of your other curiosity.

Seiji is a notorious thug in his city, eventhough he actually never hit someone first. BecThis review and rating are for all of the completed volumes.

Seiji is a notorious thug in his city, eventhough he actually never hit someone first. Because of his notoriousness, and his scary face, Seiji never had the chance to get a girlfriend. That's it, until one day his notorious right hand suddenly changing into a girl named Midori.

The idea is interesting, though it's a bit unrealistic how people around Seiji could easily accept Midori when they found out, but it's done in a comic and humorous way so I didn't mind it that much. The plot is stereotypical and cliche somehow, but I'm not bored or rolled my eyes. Seiji is funny, and so is Midori. Too much fanservice, but I think that was to be expected....more

CLAMP left this story unfinished back then, so when they decided to make the sequeThis rating and review are for all of the ongoing published volumes.

CLAMP left this story unfinished back then, so when they decided to make the sequel, I was really excited. The style's is more like nowadays CLAMP, post-Holic kind of style. To be honest, in art department, I'd rather choose the Legal Drug's version. In Drug & Drop, Kazahaya was drawn--and act--more femininely, and I think I love the previous badass Kazahaya more.

But on the good side, the hints now is getting more intense! In CLAMP's language, Rikuo and Kazahaya now's already admit that love each other! And Kakei and Saiga are also being more loved-dovey. Hugs and cheeks kisses and soft touches everywhere! I'm in heaaaaaveeeeeeeeen~

And of course, no CLAMP without this so-called mindfuck twist. And the twist in this story, I think, is the most unpredictable,and surprising one from every CLAMP's twist I've encountered so far. (view spoiler)[Who whould've thought that Wish and Drug&Drop universe would fused in that way? (hide spoiler)] I think now I would just wait for another crazy twist in Gate 7....more

My first encounter with Mitsuru Adachi's work because now it seems that my preference forThis rating and review are for all of the completed volumes.

My first encounter with Mitsuru Adachi's work because now it seems that my preference for manga is a bit altered into something with simple drawing but with a great and solid plot. My friends recommeded me his work, and I've seen many of his works enough in my older cousin's shelves, so I decide to take it a try.

So, instead of Adachi's sport-related stories, I decide to start my experience with this one, the one with supernatural power theme. Well, okay. It's not really out of the sport theme, but at least it was so much less here than in his other works. because honestly, I'm kinda tired with sport manga right now.

This story focused on six middle-school students, they're actually two three-groupers who's been rival since their first wrecked meeting in elementary school. In that time, when those two groups meet in front of a shrine, some accident happened that made the shrine getting burned. Out of panic, Misora grabbed a holy wooden box usually kept inside the shrine, and thus, The God appeared before them and promised each seven--yes, seven--of them a special gift on their 13th birthday. Only Misora and a boy from other group named Kitajima who remembered it while the other was passed due the accident. Was it really a God? And what are their gifts?

My first impression with Mitsuru Adachi is surprisingly good. I've tried to read his other work (reviewed later) and now become a fans of him. Adachi knows how to pique reader's attention with one issue at the beginning, and then altered it into something else (leave me muttered, "clever bastard"). His drawing is really simple--and quite old-fashioned at that--but it was topped with an interesting storyline and good humor--for me it's quite hard to catch the humor at first, but it was becoming good when I'm already on it.

I think I'll keep reading his stories. Not the long one still, tho. Any recs on his good works?...more

After Holic and Tsubasa ends like that, I was yearning for another CLAMP's work and tadThis review and rating are for all published (on-going) volume.

After Holic and Tsubasa ends like that, I was yearning for another CLAMP's work and tadaa!, this story was being published!

This story's about Chikahito, an ordinary-but-all-skilled high-school freshman who came to Kyoto, his dream city, and met many surprising creatures and legends there with the lead of Hana and her (his?) companion.

I think this story could be a massive work like Tsubasa or X/1999, and I'd really love to see how CLAMP's twist will work in this one. I mean, with Toyotomi Hidetomi, Sanada Yukimura, Mitsuhide, Tokugawa Ieyasu, and other Japanese war hero? Yeees, this could be massive. I count on you, CLAMP.

I don't know why I'm suspicious of Hana's gender. LOL. Because since the beginning, nor Tachibana nor Sakura, Hana's guardian, was openly admit Hana's gender, mostly they just shrug it off as if nothing. So somehow I have this gut feeling that Hana is actually a boy.

Now, when I'm biased, I can't give those authors stars less than three, and CLAMP is one of my biThis rating and review are for all completed volumes.

Now, when I'm biased, I can't give those authors stars less than three, and CLAMP is one of my biases so.

And I put my Yaoi-Shoai shelf, thank you, why no one notice that the Angel (who his name? I forgot) who lives with Shuichirou is actually genderless, and more so that Hisui and Kokuyou refer him as a 'he'?

Ah well, it's a romance after all. Light and funny, like CLAMP's other works when they decided to do some light story. And the ending! So much CLAMP typical soulmate! (view spoiler)[I kinda sad when Shuichiro died after he confessed his feeling, though. Poor man. But soulmate linked forever, CLAMP's rule, eh? (hide spoiler)]...more

Read it back in 2009 and just recently reread it due to the 2012 continuation, Drug &aThis rating and review are for all unfinished Legal Drug series.

Read it back in 2009 and just recently reread it due to the 2012 continuation, Drug & Drop.

Said as CLAMP's work that blatantly homosexsual, and I whole-heartedly agree. While other CLAMP's works always have this implicit tendency when it comes to same-sex partner, in this manga many--if not all--characters blatantly showed their affection toward their same-sex partner (the most obvious one is Kakei and Saiga, of course).

The story itself was good, typical CLAMP fashion, with sixth-sense, foresight, ghost, etc. Kinda dissapointed when this series was dropped, but I think now I'm more dissapointed that it was being continued, because in the 2012 serialization Kazahaya looked more like a woman while from this Legal Drug series he looked more manly.

A great book that left me speechless. Great writing style, great theme, great plot. This was my first Murakami book and the first book that ever madeA great book that left me speechless. Great writing style, great theme, great plot. This was my first Murakami book and the first book that ever made me stop searching for answer and just let myself flow through the story till the end.

It's nice to read the competition between Nick and Lucas into domineering each other. More conflict, yess, but noo, still the same rushed and no emotion solution. The Alpha fight left no trace in my heart, and Parks brothers acceptance also seems too easy... everything in this story is easy.

Even the Parks parents is easily accepting that all three of their sons are gays.

And Nick always thought his ideal life would be a family with kids he got from surrogate, and then voila! Lucas' happened to top him in that idea because Nick just woke up from his first time together with Lucas and there're the kids he's always dreamed of, and of course they'll be Lucas', heightening Nick's point on making Lucas' his permanent partner.

Too easy? Hell yeah. But the relationship still sweet.

But imagining Ethan and Dustin comparing notes about their partners behind their backs made me think of giggling girls comparing their boyfriends' penises. Just sayin'....more